Lay Presidency at the Eucharist An Anglican Approach [Paperback]

The demand for allowing lay ministers to preside at the Eucharist has become a pressing issue in many churches, not only in Anglicanism. Within the Anglican Communion this issue seems to be potentially divisive as most provinces refuse to accept lay presidency, but some - as the Archdiocese of Sydney - are discussing schemes to introduce it.

InLay Presidency at the Eucharistan Anglican theological approach to controversial questions is articulated. Taylor investigates in particular what allegiance to Scripture entails, and how its authority is to be applied in the Church today. The evidence of the New Testament and early Church on the Eucharist and ministry, and how critical scholarship relates to the authority of Scripture in the life of the Church, are explored, whilst the Reformation and subsequent developments in Anglican theology and Eucharistic practice are considered. Pressure to authorize lay presidency is largely a response to a shortage of clergy to meet demand for Eucharistic worship, and alternative provision for this need is discussed, before going on to consider specific schemes. The theological issues, to do with the Church, the Eucharist, and the ministry, are reviewed, and outstanding questions identified.

Introduction1. Authority and Theological Method in the Anglican Tradition 2. The Eucharist in the New Testament and Early Church The Institution of the Eucharist Eucharistic Presidency in the New Testament Church The Early Fathers 3. Ordination and Ministry in the Early Church Imposition of Hands and Ministry in the New Testament Early Ordination Rites Priesthood in the Early Church 4. Sacramental Ministry in the Anglican Tradition The Reformation Settlement in England The Anglican Communion since the Nineteenth Century Eucharistic Presidency in Ecumenical Contexts 5. Ministry, Worship, and Eucharistic Deprivation: Alternative Approaches Ministry of the Word apart from the Sacrament Ordination of Community Leaders VisitinglS(